Search results for: SHELL ELEMENT
-
Influence of silver-core gold-shell nanoparticle parameters on the variation of surface-enhanced Raman spectra
PublicationThe detection of molecules by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is dependent on the nanomaterial used to induce the enhancement effect. This depends on a variety of parameters of the substrate such as the metal used for their creation, their shape, size and size distribution, concentration, as well as the parameters of the solution, such as packing of the nanoparticles, the complexity of the sample, the solvent, etc. It...
-
Determination of flavanols by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Application to the characterization of cranberry-based pharmaceuticals through profiling and fingerprinting approaches
PublicationIn this work, a new method based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD) was established for the determination of catechins and related oligomeric proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberry-based pharmaceuticals. Compounds were recovered by liquid extraction using methanol/water/hydrochloric acid (60:39:1, v:v:v) as the extraction solvent. The chromatographic separation was carried...
-
Size Exclusion Coupled to Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography for the Characterization of Cranberry Products
PublicationA combination of solvent extraction, size exclusion purification, and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with UV absorption and fluorescence detection was here used for the determination of flavan-3-ols and related oligomeric compounds in cranberry products. The method relied on robust, simple, and inexpensive instrumental equipment present in most of routine analytical laboratories. Sample extracts in methanol/water/hydrochloric...
-
Molecular hydrogen solvated in water – A computational study
PublicationThe aqueous hydrogen molecule is studied with molecular dynamics simulations at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, using a newly developed flexible and polarizable H2 molecule model. The design and implementation of this model, compatible with an existing flexible and polarizable force field for water, is presented in detail. The structure of the hydration layer suggests that first-shell water molecules accommodate the...
-
Diagnosis of Damage in a Steel Tank Model by Shaking Table Harmonic Tests
PublicationDiagnosis of damage in civil engineering structures has recently become an important issue in the safety assessment procedure. Among a number of different approaches, a method of measuring the changes in natural frequencies is one of the most effective indicators of global damage. It has been successfully applied to relatively small. structures, however, the tests on large structures are very difficult and the practical application...
-
Thermo-oxidative exfoliation of carbon black from ground tire rubber as potential reinforcement in green tires
PublicationConsidering the balance between rapidly growing global tire demand and scarcity of natural resources, recycling and reclaiming techniques of tire rubber have become the state of the art. Herein, we set out to implement a self-designed thermo-oxidative reactor for the exfoliation of carbon black (CB) from ground tire rubber, which is efficiently functioned under a thermo-oxidative reclaiming condition without any additive. The exfoliation...
-
Curing behavior of epoxy/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites: A comparison between the effects of bare Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /chitosan and Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /chitosan/imide/phenylalanine-modified nanofillers
PublicationIn this study, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized (B-MNP) and then modified with SiO2 to form Fe3O4/SiO2 core/shell MNPs. The Fe3O4/SiO2 MNPs were chemically functionalized with chitosan so as to gain Fe3O4/SiO2/Chitosan (CH-MNP). The CH-MNP was functionalized with a macromolecule containing imide and phenylalanine precursors to gain Fe3O4/SiO2/Chitosan/imide/phenylalanine based MNPs (CH-IM-MNP). The differences...
-
Multi-functional monodispersed SiO2-TiO2 core-shell nanostructure and TEOS in the consolidation of archaeological lime mortars surfaces
PublicationArchaeological traditional lime mortars are susceptible to many environmental conditions such as the impact of water (rain, humidity, groundwater, etc.), variation of temperatures' degrees, wind and/or pollution. Accordingly, this research aims to provide newly assessed multifunctional Nano-coating for the purpose of archaeological lime mortar protection. For this, the study combined physicochemical and mechanical characterizations...
-
Unusual structural properties of water within the hydration shell of hyperactive antifreeze protein
PublicationMany hypotheses can be encountered explaining the mechanism of action of antifreeze proteins. One widespread theory postulates that the similarity of structural properties of solvation water of antifreeze proteins to ice is crucial to the antifreeze activity of these agents. In order to investigate this problem, the structural properties of solvation water of the hyperactive antifreeze protein from Choristoneura fumiferana were...
-
Unique agreement of experimental and computational infrared spectroscopy: a case study of lithium bromide solvation in an important electrochemical solvent
PublicationInfrared (IR) spectroscopy is a widely used and invaluable tool in the studies of solvation phenomena in electrolyte solutions. Using state-of-the-art chemometric analysis of a spectral series measured in a concentration-dependent manner, the spectrum of the solute-affected solvent can be extracted, providing a detailed view of the structural and energetic states of the solvent molecules influenced by the solute. Concurrently,...
-
Fe3–xInSnxO6 (x = 0, 0.25, or 0.5): A Family of Corundum Derivatives with Sn-Induced Polarization and Above Room Temperature Antiferromagnetic Ordering
PublicationThree new double corundum derivative compounds, Fe3−xInSnxO6 (x = 0. 0.25, or 0.5), were synthesized at high pressure and temperature (6 GPa and 1400− 1450 °C). All of the compounds order antiferromagnetically well above room temperature (TN = 608, 532, and 432 K for x = 0, 0.25, and 0.5, respectively). The x = 0 phase crystallizes as centrosymmetric R3̅c, but the inclusion of closed-shell d10 Sn4+ induces x = 0.25 and 0.5 to crystallize...
-
Titania nanotubes modified by a pyrolyzed metal-organic framework with zero valent iron centers as a photoanode with enhanced photoelectrochemical, photocatalytical activity and high capacitance
PublicationThe paper discusses the synthesis, photoelectrochemical and electrochemical behaviour of titania nanotube arrays modified by a pyrolyzed metal-organic framework (MOF). A poly(3,4–ethylenedioxyphene) (PEDOT) matrix with an embedded inorganic network of iron hexacyanoferrate (BP) covering TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) is used as a MOF for the further sintering procedure, resulting in a novel, thin film of carbonaceous wrap supported Fe catalytic...
-
Increasing the conductivity of V2O5-TeO2 glass by crystallization: structure and charge transfer studies
PublicationIn the present paper, V 2 O 5 -TeO 2 glass was prepared by the melt-quenching technique. Crystallization of glass with a vanadium content higher than 35%mol results in an increase in electrical conductivity by a few orders of magnitude and a decrease in activation energy from ~0.40 to ~0.12 eV. In this work, a critical review of existing charge transfer models was presented on the example of V 2 O 5 -TeO 2 glass and glass–ceramics....
-
A New Approach of Solidification Analysis in Modular Latent Thermal Energy Storage Unit Based on Image Processing
PublicationThe solidification process of RT18HC in a cylindrical shell and tube storage unit has been studied using a new methodology based on image processing. The main idea of the algorithm is to label the region of solidification and use statistical functions to calculate the dimensions of the solidification front over time. Said analysis includes two methods. The first method is to measure the solid fraction changes during solidification....
-
Thermal and economic investigation of straight and U-bend double tube heat exchanger with coiled wire turbulator
PublicationExperimental research has been carried out for four individual heat exchanger constructions, i.e., plain double tube, turbulized double tube, plain U-bend and U-bend with turbulator. Tests were made for the water-water system. The study covered a wide measuring range, i.e., Re = 800–9000 – on the shell side, for a constant cold water temperature of 9 ◦C and hot water of 50 ◦C. The heat exchangers were made from copper tubes with...
-
Feasibility study of a Raman spectroscopic route to drug detection
PublicationWe present an surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) approach for detection of drugs of abuse in whole human blood. We utilize a near infrared laser with 830 nm excitation wavelength in order to reduce the influence of fluorescence on the spectra of blood. However, regular plasmon resonance peak of plasmonic nanoparticles, such as silver or gold fall in a much lower wavelength regime about 400 nm. Therefore, we have shifted...
-
Unusual Influence of Fluorinated Anions on the Stretching Vibrations of Liquid Water
PublicationInfrared (IR) spectroscopy is a commonly used and invaluable tool in the studies of solvation phenomena in aqueous solutions. Concurrently, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations deliver the solvation shell picture at a molecular detail level and allow for a consistent decomposition of the theoretical IR spectrum into underlying spatial correlations. Here, we demonstrate how the novel spectral decomposition techniques...
-
Unusual dynamic properties of water near the ice-binding plane of hyperactive antifreeze protein
PublicationThe dynamical properties of solvation water of hyperactive antifreeze protein from Choristoneura fumiferana (CfAFP) are analyzed and discussed in context of its antifreeze activity. The protein comprises of three well-defined planes and one of them binds to the surface of ice. The dynamical properties of solvation water around each of these planes were analyzed separately; the results are compared with the dynamical properties...
-
Modal Analysis of a Steel Radial Gate Exposed to Different Water Levels
PublicationWith the increase in water retention needs and planned river regulation, it might be important to investigate the dynamic resistance of vulnerable elements of hydroelectric power plants, including steel water locks. The most frequent dynamic loads affecting hydroengineering structures in Poland include vibrations caused by heavy road and railway traffic, piling works and mining tremors. More destructive dynamic loads, including...
-
Molecular basis of the osmolyte effect on protein stability: a lesson from the mechanical unfolding of lysozyme
PublicationOsmolytes are a class of small organic molecules that shift the protein folding equilibrium. For this reason, they are accumulated by organisms under environmental stress, and find applications in biotechnology where proteins need to be stabilized or dissolved. However, despite years of research, debate continues over the exact mechanisms underpinning the stabilizing and denaturing effect of osmolytes. Here, we simulated the mechanical...
-
Emerging anticancer activity of candidal glucoseamine-6-phosphate synthase inhibitors upon nanoparticle-mediated delivery
PublicationNumerous glutamine analogues have been reported as irreversible inhibitors of the glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P) synthase in pathogenic Candida albicans in the last 3.5 decades. Among the reported inhibitors, the most effective N3-(4-methoxyfumaroyl)-L-2,3- diaminopropanoic acid (FMDP) has been extensively studied in order to develop its more active analogues. Several peptide−FMDP conjugates were tested to deliver FMDP to its...
-
Experimental investigation of thermal energy storage in shell-and-multi-tube unit with nano-enhanced phase change material
PublicationThis paper deals with thermal energy storage with use of nanoparticle enhanced phase change material in shell-and-multitube unit. The experiments are conducted under atmospheric pressure. Paraffin wax and two different fatty acids are used as base phase change material. Graphite and multi-walled carbon nanotubes serve as nanoparticles. Graphite nanoparticles are tested at the concentrations of 0.1%, 1% and 5% by weight, while multi-walled...
-
Tubular House - Form Follows Technology, Concrete Shell Structure with Inner Thermal Insulation
PublicationThe aim of this paper is the theoretical analysis of the possibilities and limitations of using an unconventional technology and the original architectural form stemming from it – the building with external construction and internal insulation. In Central European climatic conditions, the traditional solution for the walls of heated buildings relies on using external thermal insulation. This stems from building physics: it prevents...
-
Applications of Tensor Analysis in Continuum Mechanics
PublicationA tensor field is a tensor-valued function of position in space. The use of tensor fields allows us to present physical laws in a clear, compact form. A byproduct is a set of simple and clear rules for the representation of vector differential operators such as gradient, divergence, and Laplacian in curvilinear coordinate systems. The tensorial nature of a quantity permits us to formulate transformation rules for its components...
-
Why the Solvation Water around Proteins Is More Dense than Bulk Water
PublicationThe main aim of this work is to propose a rational explanation of the commonly observed phenomenon of increasing water density within solvation shell of proteins. We have observed that the geometry of the water–water hydrogen bond network within solvation layer differs from the one in bulk water, and it is the result of interactions of water molecules with protein surface. Altered geometry of the network reflects changes in the...
-
Microseismic Monitoring of Hydraulic Fracturing - Data Interpretation Methodology With an Example from Pomerania
PublicationMicroseismic monitoring is a method for localizing fractures induced by hydraulic fracturing in search for shell gas. The data is collected from an array of geophones deployed on the surface or underground. Ground vibrations are recorded and analysed for fracture location, magnitude and breakage mechanism. For successful microseismic monitoring one need a velocity model of underlying formations. The model is further tuned with...
-
Why the solvation water around proteins is more dense than bulk water
PublicationThe main aim of this work is to propose a rational explanation of commonly observed phenomenon of increasing water density within solvation shell of proteins. We have observed that geometry of the water-water hydrogen bond network within solvation layer differs from the one in bulk water and it is the effect of interactions of water molecules with protein surface. Altered geometry of the network reflects changes in the structure...
-
The preparation and evaluation of core-shell magnetic dummy-template molecularly imprinted polymers for preliminary recognition of the low-mass polybrominated diphenyl ethers from aqueous solutions
PublicationThe design, preparation process, binding abilities, morphological characteristic and prospective field of application of dummy-template magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (DMMIP) for preliminary recognition of the selected low-mass polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE-47 and PBDE-99) from aquatic environment were investigated. The surface of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanopowder (50-100 nm particles size) was modified with tetraethoxysilane...
-
Practical Approach to Large-Scale Electronic Structure Calculations in Electrolyte Solutions via Continuum-Embedded Linear-Scaling Density Functional Theory
PublicationWe present the implementation of a hybrid continuum-atomistic model for including the effects of a surrounding electrolyte in large-scale density functional theory (DFT) calculations within the Order-N Electronic Total Energy Package (ONETEP) linear-scaling DFT code, which allows the simulation of large complex systems such as electrochemical interfaces. The model represents the electrolyte ions as a scalar field and the solvent...
-
The hydrogen bond network structure within the hydration shell around simple osmolytes: Urea, tetramethylurea, and trimethylamine-N-oxide, investigated using both a fixed charge and a polarizable water model
PublicationDespite numerous experimental and computer simulation studies, a controversy still exists regarding the effect of osmolytes on the structure of surrounding water. There is a question, to what extent some of the contradictory results may arise from differences in potential models used to simulate the system or parameters employed to describe physical properties of the mixture and interpretation of the results. Bearing this in mind,...
-
The hydrogen bond network structure within the hydration shell around simple osmolytes: Urea, tetramethylurea, and trimethylamine-N-oxide, investigated using both a fixed charge and a polarizable water model
PublicationDespite numerous experimental and computer simulation studies, a controversy still exists regarding the effect of osmolytes on the structure of surrounding water. There is a question, to what extent some of the contradictory results may arise from differences in potential models used to simulate the system or parameters employed to describe physical properties of the mixture and interpretation of the results. Bearing this in mind,...
-
Development of biocompatible iron oxide-silicon oxide core-shell nanoparticles as subcellular delivery platform for glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase inhibitors
PublicationIn order to develop the preparation of iron oxide-silica coreshell nanoparticles (CSNPs), thesis deeply explores the cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA+) directed silica coating methods of the oleic-acid capped iron oxide nanoparticles (OA-IONPs) initialized under near-neutral pH conditions. It is demonstrated that the initial alkaline hydrolysis of ethyl acetate in the presence of CTA+ and OA-IONPs induces an unusual ligand exchange...
-
Load Testing of GFRP Composite U-Shape Footbridge
PublicationThe paper presents the scope of load tests carried out on an innovative shell composite footbridge. The tested footbridge was manufactured in one production cycle and has no components made from materials other than GFRP laminates and PET foam. The load tests, performed on a 14-m long structure, were the final stage of a research program in the Fobridge project carried out in cooperation with: Gdańsk University of Technology (leader),...
-
Probing the Magnetic Anisotropy of Co(II) Complexes Featuring Redox-Active Ligands
PublicationCoordination complexes that possess large magnetic anisotropy (otherwise known as zero-field splitting, ZFS) have possible applications in the field of magnetic materials, including single molecule magnets (SMMs). Previous studies have explored the role of coordination number and geometry in controlling the magnetic anisotropy and SMM behavior of high-spin (S = 3/2) Co(II) complexes. Building upon these efforts, the present work...
-
Increasing the conductivity of V2O5 -TeO2 glass by crystallization: structure and charge transfer studies
PublicationIn the present paper, V2O5-TeO2 glass...